Naveen Tewari is the man who took an idea and turned it into a global success. As the founder of InMobi, one of the largest mobile advertising platforms in the world, his journey is nothing short of inspiring. From small beginnings to building a billion-dollar company, Tewari’s story is a lesson in innovation, perseverance, and determination.
Let’s explore how Naveen Tewari built InMobi and became a key player in the world of tech.
Early Life and Education
Born in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Naveen Tewari always had a passion for learning. He studied at IIT Kanpur, one of India’s top engineering colleges. After graduation, he worked at McKinsey & Company but soon realized he wanted to do more. He decided to pursue his MBA at Harvard Business School. This experience gave him the tools and connections to start something big.
Starting InMobi
In 2007, Naveen, along with his co-founders, started mKhoj, a mobile search platform. But soon, they saw more potential in mobile advertising. This shift led to the creation of InMobi in 2009. They wanted to make ads that were not just ads—they wanted them to be engaging, relevant, and useful to users.
At the time, smartphones were becoming popular, and Tewari knew that mobile was the future. InMobi tapped into this growing market, quickly becoming a leader in mobile ads, not just in India but globally.
Facing Challenges
The early days of InMobi were tough. Securing funding was a huge challenge, and many investors doubted their vision. But Naveen and his team didn’t give up. Eventually, they received funding from Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB), a well-known venture capital firm.
InMobi also had to face competition from Google and Facebook, giants in the advertising world. Yet, through constant innovation and a focus on user experience, InMobi managed to carve out its own space.
Key Lesson: When faced with challenges, persistence and belief in your vision can lead to success.
Reaching Global Heights
In 2011, InMobi became the first Indian startup to reach unicorn status—meaning it was valued at over $1 billion. Today, InMobi operates in more than 20 countries and serves major global brands. This success put Naveen Tewari on the global stage as one of India’s top entrepreneurs.
In 2013, Tewari was recognized by MIT Technology Review as one of the world’s top Innovators Under 35. His journey has inspired many young entrepreneurs in India and around the world.
InMobi’s Continued Innovation
InMobi didn’t stop with mobile ads. The company continues to evolve, adding new services and platforms. One of their latest innovations is Glance, a lock-screen platform that delivers personalized news and entertainment to users. Glance has gained massive popularity in Asia, proving that InMobi remains at the cutting edge of technology.
Leadership and Culture
Naveen Tewari’s leadership style is based on trust, creativity, and empowerment. He believes in giving his team the freedom to innovate and encouraging a culture of collaboration. His leadership has been instrumental in attracting top talent and building a positive work environment at InMobi.
Giving Back
Tewari believes that successful entrepreneurs have a responsibility to support their communities. InMobi has been involved in several initiatives aimed at improving education and empowering underserved populations.
Conclusion
Naveen Tewari’s journey from a small-town boy in Kanpur to the founder of a global unicorn is truly remarkable. His story shows the power of vision, hard work, and a willingness to adapt.
Naveen Tewari continues to lead InMobi, driving innovation and inspiring the next generation of Indian entrepreneurs.
